Internal combustion engine



Aug. 19, 1941. EKAR 2,252,987

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed March 1, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l I Z Y Inventor Aldrich; z'aifarzi A tiofneys Aug. 19, 1941. sc k RT 2,252,987

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed March 1, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor j gwm Aifomeys Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 2,252,987 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Max Schniekart, Chesaning, Mich.

Application March 1, 1940, Serial No. 321,771

1 Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in internal combustion engines and more particularly to piston equipment therefor.

The principal object of the invention is to equip an internal combustion engine with a piston assembly whereby side thrust on the piston is reduced to a minimum under operation of the crank shaft and wear on the piston rings and cylinder walls minimized, thereby prolonging the life and elficiency of the engine.

To the accomplishment of the above, and subon the line 4-4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a similar view taken on the line 55 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, I have shown my invention therein as applied to an internal combustion engine illustrated conventionally, as sufficient to a proper understanding of a the invention, I designating a cylinder thereof, 2 the cylinder head, 3 the crank case, 4 the crank shaft and 5 the piston of said cylinder. The numeral 6 designates the usual water jacket, I an intake valve, 8 part of the intake manifold, 9 the socket for a spark plug, not shown, If! the guides for the valve tappet rod, not shown, and II the piston rings.

According to my invention, the cylinder l is longer than the usual cylinder, for a purpose presently seen. A cylindrical piston follower I2 is provided immediately below the piston 5, said follower including a sleeve I3 having a working fit in the cylinder I and being of any suitable width. Upstanding from the sleeve I3 in the axis thereof, and of the piston 5, is a stem l4 having a bifurcated lower end I5, within the sleeve I3, connected to the latter by webs I6 extending therefrom in ninety degree angular relation, said end of the stemlbeing apertured, as at IE, to receive a wrist pin I'I suitably secured therein. As will be understood, the sleeve l3, stem I4 and webs I6 are integral. The stem I4 is provided with an enlarged apertured upper end I8 connected to the piston by a pin l9, to

which said end I8 is suitably fixed and which is fixed to the piston 5 diametrically thereof.

The follower I2 and crank shaft 4 are connected by the piston rod 20 secured to the crank shaft 4 in the usual manner as indicated at 2| and having an apertured upper end 22 fitting in the end I5 of stem [4 and through which the wrist pin ll extends. The axes of the pins I1 and I9 are parallel.

The sleeve l3 upon opposite sides of the axis of the wrist pin I9 is formed in quadrant portions 23 which are relatively thicker than the rest of said sleeve to reinforce the sleeve against wear under side thrust caused by throw of the piston rod 20 on the follower.

As will now be clear, under the power stroke of the piston 5, the power is transmitted to the follower l2 in a straight line and. the piston is relieved of side thrust wear such as occurs under throw of the piston rod in the usual engine. In effect, the follower I2 acts as a crosshead against which said side thrust is exerted. This obviates piston slap and tendency of the piston and cylinder wall to wear out of round, also wear on the piston rings II. Reducing wear on the piston rings I l and cylinder wall provides for maintaining compression and thereby obviating loss of power. The follower I2 is made of light hard metal adapted to withstand prolonged use. The

friction between the follower l2 and the wall of the cylinder 2 will not materially affect speed, for the reason that maximum compression is maintained and friction between the rings l l and cylinder wall is reduced, said rings being prevented from tilting. I

If it is not possible to insert the wrist pin I! from below the member I2 then holes I2 can be formed in the follower to permit the pin H to be put in place.

The foregoing will, it is believed, sufiice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention as described is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the subjoined claim.

What I claim is:

A piston assembly for internal combustion engines comprising a cylindrical piston member, a cylindrical follower of the same diameter as said piston, and means to connect said piston and follower together in spaced relation comprising a diametrical wrist pin in said piston, a stem integral with said follower and articulated with said piston extending from said pin out of said said furcations diametrically of the follower and piston and having a bifurcated end disposed cenintermediate said webs and for connecting a contrally in the follower, webs extending from opnecting rod to said end of the stem intermediate posite edges of the furcations of said ends to the said furcations. inner wall of said follower substantially radially 5 MAX SCHNIEKART.

of the latter, and a wrist pin extending through 

